The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (June 8) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
 
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     As Hong Kong is entering the peak season of mosquito breeding, different government departments including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department and the Civil Aid Service, together with the Islands District Council and the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, held a joint mosquito prevention and control operation on Cheung Chau today (June 8) to publicise mosquito prevention messages and to raise public awareness on mosquito-borne diseases.
 
     The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, said, "Aedes albopictus, a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever, breeds in small water bodies. In the past two weeks, rain was recorded in different places in Hong Kong. Stagnant water can lead to mosquito infestation, and hot and humid weather like that seen in recent days is conducive to large-scale mosquito breeding in a short period of time. The public must take effective mosquito control measures early.
 
     "District community leaders and groups are very familiar with district issues. Their support and assistance at the district level is vital in the promotion of anti-mosquito measures to residents. The collaboration of all government departments and the participation of all members of the public is crucial for mosquito control. Members of the public should also maintain personal hygiene and prevent mosquito breeding in their everyday lives."
 
     Among the local dengue fever cases recorded last year, the patients of a number of cases resided in or visited Cheung Chau during the incubation period. In view of the dengue fever cases last year, the Government has already commenced the territory-wide All-out Anti-mosquito Operations before the onset of the rainy season. Various departments will continue to conduct fogging operations in the scrubby areas within a 100-metre radius around residences to kill adult mosquitoes weekly till the end of the rainy reason.
 
     "The FEHD is exploring to modify the design of the ovitrap with a view to obtaining data on Aedes albopictus through the collection of information on adult mosquitoes to give more information on adult mosquito density," Dr Chui said.
 
Public advice on mosquito control
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
Reduce risk of infections
 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (dengue fever) or at least 21 days (Zika virus infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor.
 
Tips for insect repellents
 
     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
 
     People should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the dengue fever pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

                

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, met with the Director of the Palace Museum, Dr Wang Xudong, at Government House at noon today (June 8). The Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Henry Tang, and the Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Anthony Chow, attended the lunch that followed.
 
     Mrs Lam welcomed Dr Wang's visit to Hong Kong at her invitation shortly after his assumption of office in April to learn more about the city's latest developments in arts and culture, which is a testimony to the importance he attaches to the development of such matters in Hong Kong and his support for them. Mrs Lam thanked the Palace Museum for arranging a number of large-scale exhibitions in Hong Kong in the past and its staunch support for the establishment of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, thus enabling the display of valuable artefacts of the Palace Museum for long periods in Hong Kong. In addition, the Palace Museum, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, has organised the Beijing Palace Museum Conservation Internship Programme each summer since 2017. The programme, which helps broaden participants' horizons and enrich their knowledge of heritage conservation and appreciation, has been well received by young people in Hong Kong. Mrs Lam expressed the hope of exploring further collaboration with the Palace Museum to enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of Chinese arts and culture.

     After the meeting, Mrs Lam witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, and Dr Wang, under which pieces of timber seized and confiscated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department during anti-smuggling enforcement operations will be donated to the Palace Museum for the repair and restoration of cultural relics and historic buildings.

      

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Hong Kong Riding for the Disabled Association Cup Luncheon 2019 today (June 8):

Thomas (The Chairman of Hong Kong Riding for the Disabled Association, Mr Thomas Yeung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you all here at the Riding for the Disabled Association Cup Luncheon. First and foremost, I would like to extend my warmest congratulation and appreciation to the Riding for the Disabled Association for organising this meaningful and exciting race.

     When it comes to horse riding, some people may think of horse racing which, of course, has a long history in Hong Kong. However, riding as a sport is much more than that and can bring us many benefits. Riders tend to develop better reflexes, balance and body co-ordination as the sport requires the entire body to guide and propel the horse forward. Therefore, horseback riding is widely recognised as an effective form of rehabilitation and therapy in the medical sector.

     Beyond physical benefits, riding is enjoyable and promotes the concept of "challenge by choice" in which people are empowered to decide whether to participate in an activity. Our local Paralympian Natasha Tse also sees her sport as a source of inspiration and training for her body. Her success story inspires all and serves to illustrate how a life-changing sport can be.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to providing rehabilitation services and welfare to people with disabilities. The overall government recurrent expenditure in this area has increased from $16.6 billion in 2007-08 to $33.9 billion in 2018-19, representing an increase of over 100 per cent. The Government also spares no effort in promoting a sustainable sporting culture and implementing three broad policy objectives, namely promoting sports for all, supporting elite athletes and attracting more major sports events to Hong Kong. The development of sports for persons with disabilities is one of the major initiatives taken forward by the Government. We have implemented various measures to provide support and promote participation in sports for persons with disabilities.

     To name a few, we launched in February this year outreach sports programmes to provide training on bocce to 50 persons with intellectual disability at three workshops or centres. We will extend the outreach programmes to persons with physical disability, visual impairment and hearing impairment soon. In parallel, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has launched the Pilot Scheme for Priority Booking of Facilities, giving organisations of people with disabilities booking priority at four designated sports centres during non-peak period, with a view to boosting their participation rate.

     Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my warmest appreciation to the Rising for the Disabled Association for their relentless efforts in promoting rehabilitation riding in the past four decades. Numerous children and adults with disabilities have benefited from the Association's free riding lessons and activities. Their enthusiastic and invaluable support helps substantially the physically-challenged and their family members to overcome obstacles and foster integration, contributing to the development of a harmonious society in Hong Kong. I wish the Riding for the Disabled Association continuous success, this year's racing game a resounding triumph and all of you a most enjoyable and memorable afternoon. Thank you.

    

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (June 8).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.